The aim of this study was to evaluate the LabCyte CORNEA-MODEL, a commercially available reconstructed human corneal tissue, on the basis of a morphological characterization using optical microscopy, electron microscopy and the expression of specific differentiation markers through immunohistochemistry. Histological examination showed a complete corneal epithelium containing all major corneal layers, including a superficial layer, a wing cell layer, and a basal layer. In addition, the corneal epithelial marker (Cytekeratin 3), mucins (mucin-1 and mucin-16), cell adhesion molecules (E-cadherin, Claudin-1, and Desmoglein-3) and basement membrane constituents (Laminin 332) were expressed in the appropriate regions, as seen in a human corneal epithelium. In an analysis by electron microscope, well-developing microvilli were observed in the superficial layer of the LabCyte CORNEA-MODEL. In conclusion, the LabCyte CORNEA-MODEL, a reconstructed, cultured human corneal epithelial model, is highly similar to that of a native corneal epithelium. Therefore, this corneal model provides a promising alternative to animal testing, as a means to assess corneal irritation, percutaneous absorption, and other corneal tissue-related research.

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Beating images of the cardiomyocyte derived from an embryonic stem cell were analyzed using our image analytical method to analyze the image recorded by a video camera. The pulsatile frequency and intensity of the beating cardiomyocyte were inhibited after exposure to Diphenylhydantoin (DPH). Therefore, it became apparent that we could examine the presence or absence of chronotropic action and inotropic action to cardiac muscle cells only by on in vitro test. These results suggested that our method was regarded as a new practical cardiotoxicity test method alternative to the animal experiment.

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